Unite members at Broughton and Filton could walk out if pay offer isn't improved

Over three thousand aircraft fitters and engineers at aerospace giant, Airbus, are being balloted from today (Monday 30 June) for industrial action in a dispute over pay.

Members of the Unite union, Britain's largest union in the defence and aerospace sector, are to be balloted about taking industrial action following a series of unacceptable pay offers. Although Unite has begun balloting for industrial action, the union remains hopeful that Airbus will return to the negotiating table and a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached.

The highly skilled workers play a critical role in the production of aircraft wings for the hugely successful A320 family, A330, A350 and A400M military transport aircraft - core programmes in Airbus’s global operations.  Should they vote to strike the company’s sites in Broughton (Flintshire) and Filton (near Bristol) will grind to a halt, delaying delivery of aircraft wings bringing aircraft deliveries to a standstill. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Airbus has posted billions in profit and continues to report record aircraft orders. Workers are still struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and this unacceptable pay offer is simply not good enough. Airbus needs to get back round the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.” 

In 2024, Airbus’s commercial aircraft division reported pre-tax profits of over €5 billion and a robust order backlog of nearly 9,000 aircraft. Despite this strong financial performance and a recent commitment to increase shareholder dividends, the company has so far refused to table an acceptable offer to its workforce.

Unite national officer Rhys McCarthy said: “There is no justification for denying the workforce — whose skills and dedication drive Airbus’ success — a pay rise that reflects both the cost-of-living pressures and inflation.

“Workers are balloting for industrial action as a last resort, due to stalled negotiations. Unite remains fully committed to resolving this dispute through negotiation and stands ready to return to talks with Airbus to secure an agreement which is acceptable to both sides.”

The ballot will run until 24 July. If members vote in favour, strike action could begin in September, with dates to be confirmed.